Letter of Direction (LOD)
Member Agencies can provide Letters of Direction (LOD) to Falling Colors to take certain actions, for example:
Fee schedule changes:
Adding Licensure/Certifications.
Adding New Services.
Adding New Rates for Services.
Removing Services, Licensures, Rates.
Retroactive Service Rate Increases.
Making a one-time payment to a vendor without an executed SOW.
Reallocations of paid funds to another fund source.
Steps to Take:
Download the LOD Template here: Commonly Used Forms
If there are any new Projects, Fund Sources, Providers, or other important information, please reach out to Falling Colors (support@fallingcolors.com) to schedule a preliminary meeting with our team to discuss these details. These new items must be set up in the Falling Colors application prior to the LOD being submitted for implementation in NMSTAR.
If no meeting is needed, please submit the LOD Draft to FCC.
Drafts of LODs and/or BLODs must be submitted to support@fallingcolors.com for FCC review once approved by the Lead Agency and prior to signature routing. This is to ensure FCC is aware of the requested change(s), has the ability to add additional comments, consider impacts, and has reviewed/approved the LOD for implementation in NMSTAR and it is ready for signature routing.
FCC reviewed and approved LODs and BLODs must be routed to FCC CEO Jorie Koster-Hale (jorie@fallingcolors.com) for Final Signature for FCC to implement the LOD in the NMSTAR Application.
Falling Colors will generally execute LODs within 7-14 days after all final signatures are obtained. Please note that LODs involving complex changes may take longer.
All LODs should include a potential target date, allowing adequate time for LOD signatures and execution.
Falling Colors will receive and execute LODs within 7-14 business days after all final signatures are obtained.
Budgetary Letter of Direction (BLOD)
Budgetary Letter of Direction (BLOD) shall be utilized by Member Agencies for adjustment of any funds within the State General Fund, Federal Fund, Other State Funds, or Special Appropriations.
BLODs allow Member Agencies to increase, reduce, or transfer funds every 25th of each month to reflect program operations. This process will also allow Member Agencies to add programs to their organization.
Steps to take:
Member Agencies shall utilize the approved BLOD Template by requesting the template through the BHC Contract Manager and/or ASO.
Approval shall be obtained from internal management identified by each Member Agency with final approval and submission by Agency. Each agency is provided with a template listing their current fund sources with the allocated amount, unallocated amount, and a column for indicating changes.
Reach out to FCC (support@fallingcolors.com) to schedule meetings, if needed, to discuss LOD as it is being drafted to see if new projects, fund sources, providers, etc. need to be set up prior to LOD implementation in NMSTAR. If no meeting is needed, please submit the LOD Draft to FCC.
DRAFT BLODs must be submitted to support@fallingcolors.com for FCC review once approved by the Lead Agency and prior to signature routing. This is to ensure FCC is aware of the requested change(s), has the ability to add additional comments, consider impacts, and has reviewed/approved the BLOD for implementation in NMSTAR and it is ready for signature routing.
FCC reviewed and approved BLODs must be routed to FCC CEO Jori Koster-Hale (jorie@fallingcolors.com) for Final Signature for FCC to implement the BLOD in the NMSTAR Application.+
BLODs must include Admin and GRT when submitted to FCC for review.
Things to Remember:
Agencies can only remove funding on an amendment that has not been allocated to providers (Unallocated).
Agencies can only remove the amount or less than the Unallocated amount for a fund source.
Agencies can add new fund sources and amounts on the template. as well as stating to what providers they want amounts allocated.
Agencies can only designate allocations to providers that total any amount added + the Unallocated amount for a fund source.
Agencies must have their template completed and routed to the Collaborative by the 25th of each month.
For agencies that wish to remove funding that has been allocated to providers - They must send CRFs in via email to support@fallingcolors.com listing the providers and amounts to return to the Unallocated funds for the fund source prior to the next amendment.
Each Member Agency should establish criteria for who is allowed to submit CRFs (Director or Financial Manager).
Each Member Agency should establish a process for review and approval of the BLOD, and whether they have different approvals required based on $ amounts added or subtracted.
Falling Colors will not allocate funding to providers unless there is a signed SOW for the provider/project and a signed Attestation for the provider. See How to Submit a SOW.
All BLODs should include a potential target date, allowing adequate time for LOD signatures and execution.
Falling Colors will generally execute LODs within 7-14 days after all final signatures are obtained. Please note that LODs involving complex changes may take longer.
BLODs must include Admin and GRT when submitted to FCC for review.
Falling Colors will only accept 1 BLOD per Member Agency per month.
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